The beekeepers are advised to create associations in order to benefit from different funds and assistance. The advice was made by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ion Sula, who had a meeting with beekeepers on August 19, when it is celebrated the beekeepers’ professional day, IPN reports.

The beekeepers from Orhei said they do not have a functional association in the district and thus there is no one to direct them when they need something or when they face certain problems that they cannot solve by themselves. The deputy minister told them that they must decide themselves to form an association. “The situation now is different. The Ministry no longer tells the farmers how to act. Use your initiative,” said the official.

Ion Sula also said that a law on the functioning of farmers’ groups will be adopted by this yearend. These groups will consist of at least five farmers who will pledge to produce a certain quantity of honey. Such a necessity appeared because Moldova cannot export small amounts. It needs large quantities of agricultural products of a high quality.

As to their needs, the beekeepers said that there is no national specialized laboratory for medicines and products for keeping bees. Therefore, the beekeepers supply themselves individually with medicines. If they are not of a good quality, the diseases from some bees pass quickly to other bees and whole colonies die.

Last year Moldova exported about 700 tonnes of honey. In 2012 there was less honey owing to the drought. The honey harvest this year is expected to be by 30% larger.